TEENAGERS from a church have been banishing the hoodie stereotypes - by helping to clean up a Nuneaton neighbourhood.

Volunteers from the Kings Community Church in Bedworth took time out of their half-term holidays to do some work in the community.

They have been putting the finishing touches to painting Ash Green School in Exhall and have cleared land in Chapel End.

Liesl Hill, youth worker with the Bulkington Road church, said: "We're doing a three-day mission called Urban Flavour which is all about getting out into the community and getting to know different people.

"We're based in Bedworth but we don't just feel it's about Bedworth, it's an area thing with Nuneaton and Coventry."

She added: "All of the people in our youth group want to serve the community in whatever way they can do."

Youth group member Kristen Swinamer, aged 13, said: "We're cleaning up the community just to show the church cares for everything and just trying to recruit new Christians while doing it."

Kristen, who attends George Eliot School, said the youth group was organising a number of social events, including a concert, to encourage more young people to find out about what the church does.

Nathanael Bauer, aged 17, said: "I just think that because we get such a bad reputation that it's good to show us in a different light - rather than drinking cider in the park and just causing havoc."

Police community support officer, Iain Sherwin said: "It is really pleasing to see so many young people willing to give up their spare time to help out in the local community."